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To wipe a working iPad clean, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings. Apple describes this as securely erasing your personal information, content, and settings, including privacy and network settings, and returning the iPad to factory settings. Menu labels can differ between iPadOS versions, so if your screen wording is slightly different, match it to the option in that same location.
Back up and move your data first
Erasing removes what is on the iPad, so copy anything you want to keep before you start. Back up the iPad, and transfer files and settings you need to a replacement device.
If you are selling, giving away, or trading in the iPad, Apple’s pre-sale checklist (published June 12, 2026) adds two steps before the erase: sign out of iCloud and of the iTunes Store and App Store, then erase all content and settings. Treat sign-out as part of that checklist rather than a step every erase requires.
Do not delete synced items by hand while you are signed in to iCloud. Apple warns that manual deletion can remove those items from iCloud and from your other connected devices. Erase the iPad instead, and handle cloud data as described in the final section.
#1 Best Overall
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Erase the iPad from Settings
This is the standard method for a working iPad and the one most owners need.
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPad.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- If asked, enter the device passcode or your Apple Account password.
- Confirm the erase and wait for the process to finish. The iPad returns to factory settings.
Apple’s Erase iPad guide states: “You can securely erase your personal information, content, and settings (such as privacy and network settings) from your iPad.”
Rank #2
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Reset All Settings is not a wipe
The Settings menu contains a second option that sounds similar but leaves your content in place. Apple’s Reset All Settings guide (published May 8, 2026) makes the distinction explicit.
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| Option | Changes settings to defaults | Removes photos, messages, apps, and documents | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erase All Content and Settings | Yes | Yes | The iPad is leaving your possession or you need a clean start |
| Reset All Settings | Yes | No | You want to fix configuration problems and keep your content |
If the goal is to remove personal data before someone else uses the iPad, choose the erase option, not the settings reset.
Rank #3
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Restore with a computer when Settings is not an option
Apple documents a computer route for situations where you cannot reach Settings. Most owners can erase from the iPad itself, so use this as the fallback. It requires a computer and a cable.
- Connect the iPad to a Mac or Windows computer with a USB or USB-C cable. For an older iPad with a different port, use the cable that matches it. Check connector compatibility before you buy or borrow one.
- On a Mac, open Finder. On Windows, open Apple Devices. Apple says to use iTunes instead in certain older-software cases.
- Select your iPad in the device list.
- Sign out of Find My on the iPad first. Apple states that the Restore control cannot be used until Find My is signed out.
- Choose Restore iPad and follow the prompts on the computer.
Decide what happens to the eSIM
When you erase the iPad, you may be prompted to keep or erase the eSIM. The choice depends on whether the cellular plan should stay with this device or move with you.
Rank #4
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 11-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
- Keep the eSIM if the plan stays with this iPad or you plan to transfer it later.
- Erase the eSIM if the iPad is leaving your hands. Apple says the carrier must reactivate the cellular plan after an eSIM is erased. Apple’s pre-sale checklist instructs sellers to erase the eSIM profile when offered.
Activation Lock and handing the iPad to someone else
Apple says that when Find My was enabled, erasing the iPad removes Activation Lock so a new owner can set it up. The erase may ask for your Apple Account password. The steps depend on where the iPad is now.
- You are giving it away or selling it in person. Complete the erase yourself using the Settings method above, after signing out as described in the checklist.
- You no longer have the iPad. Apple advises asking the new owner to erase it.
- The iPad is lost or stolen. Use Find Devices on iCloud.com to erase it and remove it from your trusted devices.
If you suspect tampering or malware
A factory reset is not always the first step. Apple’s personal-safety guidance (published October 2025) says that if someone may have had physical access to your iPad, or may have changed sharing or app access, use Safety Check and its Manage Sharing & Access option before a factory reset.
Best Value
- Smart Connector. 3.5 mm headphone jack. Stereo speakers. On/Off - Sleep/Wake. Home/Touch ID sensor. Dual microphones. Volume up/down. Nano-SIM tray (cellular models). Lightning connector
- A10 Fusion chip.
- Touch ID fingerprint sensor,
- 8MP back camera, 1. 2MP FaceTime HD front camera.
- Stereo speakers.
If you are erasing because you believe malicious software was installed, do not restore from a backup. Apple’s personal-safety guide states: “If you’re erasing all content and settings because you’re concerned your device was tampered with and had malicious software installed, don’t restore from a backup.” A backup can reinstall the software you are trying to remove, so set the iPad up as new and reinstall only what you trust.
What an erase does not delete
Erasing the iPad does not delete content stored in iCloud, and Apple states that a device erase does not remove cloud content. If you want photos, notes, or other synced data removed from your account, check your iCloud account separately. Do this with the iPad still in hand before you sign out or hand it over, because that is the point at which you can still see what is synced to it.
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